Syracuse, NY--Some food service workers at Syracuse University have been asked to take a dose of Hepatitis A vaccine, after a colleague was diagnosed with the disease.

However, Dr.Cynthia Morrow, Onondaga County's health commissioner, called the incident an "extremely low risk situation" for the public.

The infected food service worker worked in the Shaw and Haven dining halls on Aug. 23 and 27.

The health department found that the worker was infected outside of Onondaga County, she said.

The department found after inspecting the dining halls and conducting "extensive" interviews that SU has excellent policies and procedures, Morrow said.

Hepatitis A is a contagious disease that affects the liver. Most infections from Hepatitis A result from contact with a household member or sex partner, according to an email sent to students by Dr. James R. Jacobs, director of SU Health Services.

When a food service worker is diagnosed with the disease, New York state's recommendation is that colleagues who worked the same shift be vaccinated as a precaution, Morrow said.

The health department is also encouraging other Food Services employees, including student workers, who worked in the Shaw or Haven dining halls on Aug. 23 and 27 to consider receiving a dose of the vaccine, the email said.

Those workers will be notified by the Food Services Department, the email said.

There is no cause for concern for students who ate meals in the dining halls, Morrow said.

"This is actually a very low risk situation," she said. "The public is not at risk in this situation."